Palestinian Authority to Ask UN to Boycott Israel

PLO, Abbas, to ask the General Assembly and the UN Security Council to boycott companies which help 'settlements', 'Judaize' Jerusalem.

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Dalit Halevi, Tova Dvorin, 28/04/14 16:40

PA Chairman Abbas

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The Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) held a special meeting on Sunday, headed by Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Following the meeting, Abbas released an official statement confirming that the PA will submit a formal request to the UN to boycott companies and institutions which support Judea and Samaria and the "Judaization" of Jerusalem.

In 2012, UN special rapporteur on "Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories" Richard Falk proposed a boycott, sparking outrage. In response, Israeli experts noted that Israel’s civilian communities in Judea and Samaria are legal under international law.

Drastic Measures

Earlier Sunday, the PLO also announced that it would be continuing the process of applying to more international organizations, in a bid for legitimacy and statehood status.

PA officials also announced that they had finished the application process for the International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL; if accepted, the PA police force would join one of the world's largest international intelligence and law enforcement agencies, which handles the security needs of 190 countries.

On Saturday, Abbas gave a speech before the PLO central council, in which he declared that talks with Israel could only continue if Israel submits to a freeze on construction in eastern Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, releases jailed terrorists, and starts agreeing to borders for a Palestinian state.

"I recognize Israel and reject violence and terrorism, and recognize international commitments," Abbas claimed, even while re-declaring that he and his government would never recognize Israel as the Jewish state.